March 2014 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Hi Quilters

I hope for everyone's sake the weather in March is significantly better then the weather in February.  Yikes - I am at the end of my rope.  I really want spring to get here.  I have a huge list of spring related to do items including cleaning out my sewing space.  Kelly and I thought an article in the newsletter about our sewing spaces would be of interest to the membership.  I am always interested to see the sewing spaces of accomplished quilters in the Quilt Magazines.  Their spaces always have vintage jars filled with buttons and custom tables made of maple, and organized shelves artfully displaying their fabric stash.  I am sure that that they have professional staging experts to make their studio look so organized and stylish -- My space, not so much.  

I have a sewing room in the basement.  It has a window so that is good.  It is freezing in the winter so that is not so good.  The walls and the carpeting are gray - not my favorite but I can live with it.  I feel very lucky to have a room to myself that I don't have to clean up.  Here is a nice picture of my pegboard

That is the organized part - now for the mess

Check out the giant TV, no HD for me.  



Here is the space where I keep all my Wrapping paper stuff.  

So - you can see that  I have some work to do this spring to clean it up a little and bring some order.  Now that I have shown mine how about you show yours.  Anyone interested in showing the guild pictures of your sewing space, contact Kelly.  It would be great to see where you all get creative.  

Happy Quilting
Robin McMillen


PROGRAMS - LESLIE O'BRIEN

If it doesn't snow again, we will welcome Ellen Endslow from the Chester County Historical Society with her talk about the Chester County Quilt Documentation Project. She will have copies of the documentation book, "Layers, Unfolding the Stories of Chester County Quilts," with her for sale. It is a lovely collection of photos of the quilts recorded in the project. Please bring any old quilts for a special show and tell. This it will not replace the usual show and tell, it will be held as always.

We do need a projection screen for this meeting. Please email me at leslieobriensk8@comcast.net if you are an owner of a screen and are able bring it to meeting.

Looking ahead - the challenge is in April so keep working on your projects. Jan Brown from The Quilt Block will be here in April to do a shortened version of the "What's New" demonstration that was snowed out in February. We will be able to shop at this one. Jan will bring lots of goodies for us to buy. In addition to the regular show and tell we will hold a special show and tell of "vintage" challenge projects. If you are a long time member of the group, please bring old challenge projects so we can revisit challenges of the past. 

We will host Jackie Gauker, owner of Jackie's Woolens in May. B J Titus will be here in June to wrap up the season.  

Again, if you are interested in a workshop with BJ, possibly on a Saturday time, please email atleslieobriensk8@comcast.net. We will also talk about it this at the meeting. 

MEMBERSHIP - ELLEN MCMILLEN

March Birthdays
Fay Ann Grider            6-March
Pat Sherman              10-March
Jan Zwizanski            15-March
Marti Campbell         26-March
May a touch of Spring brighten your day.


HOSPITALITY
Snack list for the  March Penn Oaks guild meeting is: K. Meanix, E. Mincarelli, R. Newlander*, L. OBrien, M. Paczok, M. Paluba*. A star after your name means you bring a beverage instead of a snack .  Remember to switch with a friend If you can't attend the meeting.

CHALLENGE - CAROLYN DAVIS

The clock is ticking toward the Challenge - deadline is April meeting. I hope everyone is working on their "Please don't touch the quilts" piece (8.5 x 11" or 9 x 12"). I am still working on the voting categories. I have some prizes from the Houston quilt show.

Carolyn


PATCHES OF LOVE - RITA MARIE SMITH

Jean Fox and I are so pleased to be able to tell you that 40 dresses, 10 bibs and 50 receiving blankets have been made and will soon be on their way to the orphanage in Africa.  The kindness and generosity of our guild members participating in our charity projects is just outstanding.  I have received several more pillowcases for the pediatric unit at PS Hershey.  If anyone would like to continue making them, please do so.  I'll be glad to accept them up to our June meeting.   Thank you for all you do to support our community service projects. 

SILENT AUCTION - MARYANN LEWIS

I will be collecting items for the Silent Auction in May at our next 2 meetings.

Maryann

FROM ALLIE
Something fun to check out!

http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/quilting-daily/archive/2014/02/11/fiber-art-fun-15-signs-you-39-re-a-quilter.aspx?a=qr140215&mid=396405&rid=2459609

MYSTERY BOX- JAN BROWN

At the March meeting the Mystery Box will be ready for you to take a chance on it.  Again, you never know what will be in it.  So, be sure to bring those dollar bills or a five dollar bills for six chances to win.

You have to play to win!!!!!

Jan

GETAWAY 2014

A HUGE thank you to Kathy and Ellen for another successful getaway. It was a blast! I love spending quality time with all of my quilting buddies.

Also, a HUGE thank you to everyone for the help and support in finishing my sis-in-laws quilt (she did like it-YAY!), and listening to my woes only to guide me in the right directions. You are all wonderful!

Denise Blake

I wanted to let Fay Ann know I am taking my job seriously. Max is in good hands but he just may need a make over...stay tuned.
Kelly

QUILT HAPPENINGS

December 20, 2013 to April, 27.2014

"Worked by Hand:  Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts", the National Museum of Women in the Arts,

1250 New York Ave.  Washington, DC 20005.  The display showcases thirty-five  18th. to 20th. Century quilts

from the Brooklyn Museum's renowned decorative arts collection.  See more: 

www.nwwa.ort/explor/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibition  

AQS Quilt Week

March 12-15, 2013

Lancaster County Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/

February 2014 Newsletter

Hi Quilters

I am sure I am not alone when I say - I think I am going to drive up to Gobbler's Notch and take care of their Ground Hog Problem.  Really - 6 more weeks of winter, we'll see about that.  Man I am cold it is a good thing we are quilters - plenty of art to wrap up in.  I hope all of you are using this time stuck inside to complete some projects.  We have the challenge coming up in April.  I can't wait to see all the creative entries.  We also have the getaway at the end of the month.  I know for those of us that are going we can really use the time away.  I for one am looking forward to it. 

I have been working on my block of the week diary quilt that I mentioned in the last president's note.  I have 4 blocks done for January and I am finding it so fun.  I get to use all kinds of different materials and techniques that I don't typically use.  It also helps me get down in my sewing room when I am very busy. 

I hope all of you are keeping warm.  I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meeting.  Jan and Cynthia will be presenting and I can't wait to see the new ideas they are going to share.  I better remember my wallet ;)

Happy Quilting

Robin McMillen

(610)836-1363

(610)873-2950

PROGRAMS  LESLIE O'BRIEN

The Programs Committee has a set of 60 pens (useful when all the Guild members will be writing or voting) and 3 dry board eraser markers for Guild use. We also have extra small 2 1/2 x 3" cards (useful for votes or comments) and plain brown paper lunch size bags available. I you are running a Guild event, and need to use any of these supplies, please let the current Programs Chair know. 

February is "Sew, What's New?" month! Jan Brown and Cynthia West from the Quilt Block will present some of the latest and greatest in quilt gadgets, gizmos, and supplies. Come and learn what will make your quilting life easier and more fun this year.  Don't forget to bring your winter holiday exchange blocks that weren't signed. I'll bring the right kind of marking pen for everyone to sign them. 

Ellen Endslow from the Chester County Historical Society will be here in March to talk about the Chester County Quilt Documentation Project held several years ago. Copies the the documentation book, "Layers," will be available for purchase. Do you have any really old quilts to show us? If yes, please bring them for a special show and tell after Ellen's talk. They don't have to be from Chester County, just old. As usual, we will still have the regular show and tell.

April is the annual Penn Oaks Quilt Challenge with an added activity. How long have you been a member of Penn Oaks? Do you have any of your challenge quilt entries from years past? If yes, please bring them to share after the challenge. It will be fun to look back and see what challenged us years ago!

One more thing - I have outside interest in a BJ Titus workshop. Please email me, leslieobriensk8@comcast.net , and let me know if you are interested. I am thinking about a Saturday workshop this time. Does that make it easier for more to attend?

Please be ready to discuss a possible workshop with B J Titus. I have some interest from outside the Guild so I think we could come up with enough participation to fund a workshop. I am thinking about holding it on a Saturday this time. Let me know what you think!

Stay warm!

Leslie, Susan, and Suzanne

HOSPITALITY   ANGEL HENDERSON

Snack list for the February Penn Oaks guild meeting is: A. Henderson, D. Hill,  H. Hofbauer*,D. Holzworth, M.Hopkins*, M.Kline, M.Lewis.  A star after your name means that you bring a drink for the group instead of a snack.  Remember to trade with a friend if you can't attend the meeting.  

MEMBERSHIP  ELLEN MCMILLEN/JEAN FOX

There were 38 members in attendance at the January meeting. Myrna Paluba and Sara Borr were the winners of the door prizes.
February Birthdays
Robin McMillen            15-February
Angel Henderson         26-February
May hearts and flowers add a special touch to your sewing rooms.

PATCHES OF LOVE RITA MARIE SMITH     

The last opportunity we will have to contribute to Dresses for Africa will be at our February guild meeting.  Couldn't be easier to make....2 fat quarters and 2 yards of ribbon is all it takes.  What a thrill a little girl will get having a new dress or perhaps even her first dress !  Thank you to all the ladies who have participated and made such cute dresses thus far.   I have received a few more pillowcases for Penn State Hershey Pediatrics.  If you would like to make some, we can do so till May.  We are using the "hot dog" directions.  See me at our next meeting for information.     

From Debbie Becker

Horn sewing machine cabinet for sale. The sewing machine can be pushed down so that cabinet can be completely closed. Excellent condtion..Asking $400. Email me for pictures. It needs to be moved from the second floor.

From Suzanne Stiverson

I will be holding a beading class on Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. at my home in Pottstown.  I think six should be the maximum.  I’ll provide the needles, beads and beading thread for the samples.  I’ll send out a list of what is needed to bring.  The class will be $15.  I need to get confirmations from those who have previously contacted.  If need be, I can be flexible on the date. 

From Marion Stevenson

QUILT HAPPENINGS

December 20, 2013 to April, 27.2014

"Worked by Hand:  Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts", the National Museum of Women in the Arts,

1250 New York Ave.  Washington, DC 20005.  The display showcases thirty-five  18th. to 20th. Century quilts

from the Brooklyn Museum's renowned decorative arts collection.  See more: 

www.nwwa.ort/explor/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibition  

2014 Quilt Competition & Display

January 13-April 6, 2014

Peddler’s Village Gazebo

Lahaska, PA

www.peddlersvillage.com/bulletin.aspx

AQS Quilt Week

March 12-15, 2013

Lancaster County Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/

January 2014 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Happy New Year Quilters!!!!

Honestly, I really could do without all the New Year's Hoopla.  All the crazy New Year's Resolutions.  (I think it is nearly impossible to loose weight in January - it is just too cold - seriously, I believe that).  I also don't get the whole count down at midnight.  We never make it at my house.  I love sleep.  I have however, started to make lists on New Years.  This list does not look like this:

1. Loose weight

2. Stop Biting my Nails

3. Eat only lean protein and leafy greens.

4. Stop yelling at my kids

5. etc....  You get the idea. 

My lists do look like this (This was last year)

1.  Finish basket quilt

2.  Make star quilt for Charlotte

3.  Finish quilt for Dad's Book

4.  Challenge myself on a new Project

5.  Penn Oaks Challenge Quilt

I completed most of those and I added some additional projects.  I still have basket blocks that I have not turned into a quilt so I will try and add that to my 2014 list.  But you get the idea.  I think a project list is so much more healthy than a list of all the bad things I am going to deprive myself of in the next year.  I am sure many of you already do this but for those of you who keep the list in your head, I challenge you guys to write down a  2014 project list.  I put my list up on the wall in my sewing room so I can see it regularly.  This list is organic and does change but it helps me to stay on task when I am floundering creatively.  I may add to my list this year a weekly diary block like the one Kelly Meanix made in 2012.  In fact, I am going to do that this year.  It will be a challenge but since it is the new year, it is a great time to start. 

Robin

Happy New Year and See you at the next meeting. 

Robin McMillen

(610)836-1363

(610)873-2950


Programs
Our December meeting was canceled due to the weather so we are celebrating in January.

It's that time of year! The next meeting is the holiday meeting. There have been a couple of changes to the format so please read this carefully.....

*  Angel is arranging the refreshments per the usual method. Please see Angel's hospitality article to see if you show up in the alphabetical order and need to bring refreshments. Do not worry about bringing your own as we talked about at the meeting if you are not on Angel's list.

*  We are having an activity for those that want to participate. Please bring your favorite winter/holiday quilt project in a bag or folded inside out (so nobody can see you deliver the quilt and know it is yours). Pin your name on the back of the quilt. I will be there to collect the quilts so bring it directly to me when you arrive. Susan, Suzanne, and I will display the quilts in the back of the room. The membership will guess which quilt belongs to which quilter. To vote, you will write your name and the name of the quilter on a piece of paper and place it in a bag next to the quilt. We will draw votes from the bag. As soon as we draw the correct name of the quilter, the voter will win a small prize. The quilter will then discuss the background and history of the quilt. I hope this will be fun and help us learn a little more about each other and our quilts. It will also decorate the room for the festivities. Does this inspire you get the holiday quilt you are working on finished?

* We may also play quilt pictionary if time allows. 

* Don't forget your 12 1/2" block for the block exchange. 

*Show and tell will be held as usual. Feel free to participate in both!

*Plan to sign up to present at Book Night during the January meeting. I will circulate the list during the party. This was a lot of fun last year and we hope to hear from some others this year.

See you at the party!

The Programs Committee

Leslie, Susan, and Suzanne

Hospitality

Snack list for the  Penn Oaks holiday meeting in December includes: M. Lewis, R. Lodi*, J.Loncaric, S. Longenecker, E. Mayer, E. McMillan, R. McMillan, K. Meanix*, E. Mincarelli, B. Moses, R. Newlander, L. Obrien, M. Pack, M. Paluba, L. Paylor, N. Rubinelli, P. Sherman*, S. Simmons, P. Smith, R. Smith, D. Smyrl, M. Stevenson, S. Stiverson, C. Vognetz, D. Werkheiser*, J. Zubert, J. Zwizanski*. Remember that a star by your name means you bring a drink rather than a snack and please call a friend and make arrangements to get a snack in if you cannot attend the meeting.

MEMBERSHIP: Jean Fox/Ellen McMillen
Happy New Year! And happy birthday to Diane Smyrl whose special day is January 25th.

Thank you all for your cards and well wishes following my knee replacement surgery. They brighten my days as I continue with my recovery which is progressing quite well.
Ellen

Round Robin Reminder

    We will be having our next exchange of the Round Robin blocks at the February 2014 meeting.  Any questions, please contact me.

Maureen Carlson

Patches of Love - Rita Marie Smith      
 I hope everyone is planning to make a couple of dresses for the HIV orphanage in Africa.  They are so very easy and can be made in a jiffy. The dresses only have a finished length of 16" to 23"... your choice.  Please bring them to our January or February guild meeting.  That is the absolute deadline as they will then be taken to the orphanage in March.   Directions were passed out at guild meetings.  Should you need them again, just go to the modabakeshop.com fat-quarter pillowcase dress website.  How exciting it will be for the little girls to receive their dress !  For the months of March, April and May, we can continue to make pillowcases for the pediatric unit at Penn State Hershey and that will conclude our charity work  for this year.   Thank you for participating and making a child's day brighter.    

GETAWAY

   If you are planning to attend the getaway please make sure that Ellen has your form as well as  your check. We have some rooms still available.

You will be receiving a future email with more details soon. If you have any questions send me an email. I will be in Hilton Head,SC for the month of Jan.

   Kathy DeCarli

MYSTERY BOX

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

A friendly reminder that the next meeting will have a Mystery Box.  Please bring those extra dollars for your chance to WIN.  You have to take a chance to win and you never know what will be in the box, ah the mystery of it.  One dollar for one chance or five dollars for six chances, what a deal.

See you all soon,

Jan

QUILT HAPPENINGS

2014 Quilt Competition & Display

January 13-April 6, 2014

Peddler’s Village Gazebo

Lahaska, PA

www.peddlersvillage.com/bulletin.aspx

AQS Quilt Week

March 12-15, 2013

Lancaster County Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/

December 2013 Newsletter

Hello Quilters,

So looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Holiday Party.  Leslie has some excellent activities planned to celebrate the season.  Please see the details below.  One activity is a guess the quilter, holiday addition.  I am going to bring something in.  It will be so fun to play that game. It reminds me of my favorite part of the Challenge where we get to guess who quilted what.  I am going to make something delicious to share will you all.  OR maybe I will simplify and just bring M&Ms, we will see. 

On that note, I want to tell you that I did simplify my Thanksgiving menu and guess what - No one noticed and no one starved.  Wow, did I learn an important lesson.  I also had more fun and was less stressed so as a result my family had more fun too because I was not yelling at everyone.  Imagine that??!!  It also freed up some time that I could spend in my sewing room.  That was an additional stress reliever.  All I really did was cut out some squares but just touching the fabric and looking at the colors was restful.  If only I could figure out a way to avoid the parking lot at Wegmans, my holidays would be completely peaceful.  Oh well, I guess some stress in unavoidable. 

My holiday wish for you all is two fold.  I hope for improving health for those members of our guild who have struggled health wise in the past year.  And I wish for a creative and productive year quilting.  I think my New Year's Resolution will be to complete a UFO in the upcoming January and February time frame.  Wouldn't that be great to spend some time during these cold months completing a project.  Maybe I could bind it at the getaway.  MMMMM that sounds like a great way to start the new year. 

Happy Quilting and Happy Holidays. 

Robin McMillen

(610)836-1363

(610)873-2950

Programs

It's that time of year! The next meeting is the holiday meeting. There have been a couple of changes to the format so please read this carefully.....

*  Angel is arranging the refreshments per the usual method. Please see Angel's hospitality article to see if you show up in the alphabetical order and need to bring refreshments. Do not worry about bringing your own as we talked about at the meeting if you are not on Angel's list.

*  We are having an activity for those that want to participate. Please bring your favorite winter/holiday quilt project in a bag or folded inside out (so nobody can see you deliver the quilt and know it is yours). Pin your name on the back of the quilt. I will be there to collect the quilts so bring it directly to me when you arrive. Susan, Suzanne, and I will display the quilts in the back of the room. The membership will guess which quilt belongs to which quilter. To vote, you will write your name and the name of the quilter on a piece of paper and place it in a bag next to the quilt. We will draw votes from the bag. As soon as we draw the correct name of the quilter, the voter will win a small prize. The quilter will then discuss the background and history of the quilt. I hope this will be fun and help us learn a little more about each other and our quilts. It will also decorate the room for the festivities. Does this inspire you get the holiday quilt you are working on finished?

* We may also play quilt pictionary if time allows. 

* Don't forget your 12 1/2" block for the block exchange. 

*Show and tell will be held as usual. Feel free to participate in both!

*Plan to sign up to present at Book Night during the January meeting. I will circulate the list during the party. This was a lot of fun last year and we hope to hear from some others this year.

See you at the party!

The Programs Committee

Leslie, Susan, and Suzanne

Hospitality

Snack list for the  Penn Oaks holiday meeting in December includes: M. Lewis, R. Lodi*, J.Loncaric, S. Longenecker, E. Mayer, E. McMillan, R. McMillan, K. Meanix*, E. Mincarelli, B. Moses, R. Newlander, L. Obrien, M. Pack, M. Paluba, L. Paylor, N. Rubinelli, P. Sherman*, S. Simmons, P. Smith, R. Smith, D. Smyrl, M. Stevenson, S. Stiverson, C. Vognetz, D. Werkheiser*, J. Zubert, J. Zwizanski*. Remember that a star by your name means you bring a drink rather than a snack and please call a friend and make arrangements to get a snack in if you cannot attend the meeting.



MEMBERSHIP: Jean Fox/Ellen McMillen
Penn Oaks Quilters is 55 members strong and 33 attended the November meeting. There were no guests. Denise Blake was the winner of the door prize.

Carolyn Davis is doing very well following bilateral knee replacements. She says her recovery is exceeding all expectations and she thanks the guild for the cards and well wishes.


December Birthdays
Denise Werkheiser          9-December
Kelly Meanix                   13-December
Marianne Caporale      30-December
May your birthdays be filled with quilting delights and holiday treats.

2014 Getaway: Kathy DeCarli/Ellen McMillenThere are three rooms available for the Getaway. If you are interested in attending please contact Ellen as soon as possible. Both Kathy and I are unable to attend the December meeting so give me a call (610-363-5956) or send me an email (ejmcmillen@verizon.net). Please mail me your registration form and check. Thank you!

Silent Auction

I would like to thank everyone for making the silent auction such a big success-----especially Kelly who brought in bags and bags of fabric pulled from her stash.

Maryann

Challenge

We will be making small quilts to say please don't touch the quilts. You may say it any way you wish, as long as the message is clear.  Please keep the size no larger than 9 x 12 inches.  Shoot for 8.5 by 11 - regular paper sign size. 
We will decide whether and how we will label them after the challenge. I'm 
thinking about using an embroidered ribbon that says Do Not Touch the QuiltsChallenge 2014 and leaving space for you to sign the ribbon. But, then again, maybe we don't need that, except that we have displayed challenge quilts at 
the show in the past. I apologize if this seems like a work-in-progress.





Carolyn and Jamie



Here are some pictures to give you some ideas........

I think Bob should make one like this! You know how he loves Sunbonnet Sue!

Quilt Happenings

2014 Quilt Competition & Display

January 13-April 6, 2014

Peddler’s Village Gazebo

Lahaska, PA

www.peddlersvillage.com/bulletin.aspx

AQS Quilt Week

March 12-15, 2013

Lancaster County Convention Center

Lancaster, PA

http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/

PA Row by Row Quilt Shop Hop

(63 shops)

July – September 2014

www.facebook.com/PARowbyRow